Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is currently unpacking her report on President Jacob Zuma’s security upgrades at his Nkandla home, and at 443 pages, 12 sections, it is a monster. If you want to know what’s happening but are too busy to pay attention to the whole live broadcast/live-tweeting thing, here’s a bite-sized summary of are the juiciest bits:
- Police minister Nathi Mthethwa, and others, are found to be guilty of improper conduct and maladministration.
- Zuma has “unduly benefitted” from the upgrades to his Nkandla residence. He also mislead parliament, but made an honest “bona fide” mistake.”
- A substantial amount of money would have been saved had Zuma raised concern of amount. Initially the Nkandla upgrades were suppose to cost the government R27 million. With construction not yet complete, the total cost of Nkandla homestead will be at least R246 million.
- Upgrades like cattle kraal, chicken run, amphitheatre, visitor centre shouldn’t have been built. Zuma must pay for these non-security upgrades at his home.
- Organs of state failed dismally to follow Supply Chain Management prescripts. The state violated the constitution by using funds from Public Works service delivery budget for Nkandla.
- Zuma’s private architect earned R16.5-million from the project.
- Madonsela asked President Zuma to report to Parliament with comments and actions on her report within 14 days.
- The National Key Points Act was “inexplicably dragged in” halfway through the Nkandla project, but it wasn’t applied correctly.
If you’re up to it, you can read the full report here.
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